THEOSISPhotios of Constantinople
Why, when the wrath of God descended upon Kore, Dathan, and Abiron, did the rest of the people fail to be terrified, fearing for their lives and recognizing their own wrongdoings? Instead, they continued to grumble against Moses. Was it not because, as a crowd driven by irrational impulses and governed by fierce thoughts, they believed that Moses, through some form of sorcery or trickery, had convinced the Deity to act according to his whims, thereby punishing their rebellious kin? In their misguided reasoning, they thought that those who erred in such ways could intimidate Moses into abandoning his mission, preventing him from angering God further by calling for retribution against wrongdoers and sparing their fellow countrymen from divine wrath.
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They perceived that both Moses and the Most High Creator were guided by their own flawed reasoning rather than by fairness, objectivity, or righteousness, judging instead based on their passions.
Conversely, the moderation of punishment, when coupled with a mindset not overly alarmed, can often lead to repentance and transformation. When punishment is fearsome yet tempered, it can soften harshness and foster understanding of moral obligation. However, if severe punishment follows a multitude of sins, individuals might instead spiral into despair and madness rather than seeking forgiveness, which is neither warranted nor beneficial. As their anger cannot be expressed through action, they may become obstinate and blasphemous. Ironically, greater fear might have turned them away from wickedness and guided them toward instruction, instead of leaning towards self-destruction. It is written, "When He slew them, they sought Him and turned, and from early morning resorted to God" (Psalms 77:34). Is it not sheer foolishness to persist in wrongdoing even under dire circumstances, failing to convert that into repentance? Those who are not moved by moderate correction may wrongly believe that a harsher punishment will bring about change, but if even such punishment fails to enlighten them, they will deem their transgressions irreparable. Moreover, one who neither improves but instead worsens, turning the subsequent penalties into mere enforcement of justice, brings judgment upon themselves—whether in word or deed. It is said, "Hast thou not sinned? Be silent" (cf. Gen. 4:7). Yet they, having sinned themselves and sympathizing with those justly punished, not only failed to remain silent, but began to complain against their guide and, through him, assailed the Universal Lord and Benefactor, attempting to veil their lesser transgression with a greater one.
Thus, they would have met the same fate as those before them, perishing alongside their entire lineage, had not Moses' intercession and prayers halted the ruin. If, however, those who received the law thought that the lawgiver of virtue and divine wisdom was merely performing magical tricks to persuade the Divine, believing that he sought punishment through sorcery rather than by invoking the Creator to witness their actions and deter them from sin, the initial confusion becomes somewhat clearer, yet raises further quandaries. It would certainly be just for a people ensnared by such delusions to perish repeatedly, especially since in Egypt the sorcerers were humiliated not just once, but ten times, as their wickedness was openly exposed by Moses' miracles, witnessed firsthand by the Israelites.
Furthermore, who could unleash the sea and create a path for his people without leaving a trace, transforming it into a grave for his foes? And how could one provide food and sustenance from the heavens, along with the many other miracles wrought by Moses for Israel’s salvation, all while seeking the favor and compassion of the Divine? They indeed faced the rightful punishment for their defiance, yet our ancestors, as none of what occurred was enigmatic, failed to devise a remedy. It is for you to consider whether such reasoning reflects true understanding or merely the idle chatter of those avoiding silence.